Breaking news
Chinese Shipyard Launched the 29th Type 054A Frigate for the PLAN.
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Naval Forces News - China
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Chinese Shipyard Launched the 29th Type 054A Frigate for the PLAN
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Our colleagues from East Pendulum are reporting that the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard of the Chinese naval group CSSC launched a Type 054A frigate for People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) on December 16 2017. This is the 15th frigate of this class (designated Jiangkai II-class by NATO) built in this shipyard, located in Shanghai in Eastern China, and the 29th overall in the series. The 28th Type 054A was launched less than 4 months ago, showing once again the fast pace of China's naval shipbuilding industry.
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 Launch of the 29th Type 054A Frigate for the PLAN. HSH Photo. |
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Type 054A Frigate
The Type 054A is 140 meters long with a displacement of 4,000 tonnes full load. The ship has a range of over 4,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 18 knots. Based on the Type 054 Frigates, the Type 054A incorporates a larger number of more-advanced indigenous systems. The first of class entered service with the PLAN in January 2008. Type 054A Frigates are fitted with 32 VLS (Vertical Launch System) cells for HQ-16 surface to air missiles, 8x YJ-83 (export designation C-803) anti-ship missiles, a H/PJ-26 76mm main gun, two H/PJ12 seven-barreled 30mm CIWS guns (for frigates 1 to 16 in the series) or H/PJ11 eleven-barreled 30mm CIWS for new vessels starting with Huanggang (hull number 577) the seventeenth ship of the class. Two triple YU-7 torpedo launchers and anti-submarine rocket launchers are fitted for ASW warfare. For the time being, it is the best anti-submarine anti-submarine platform for the Chinese Navy, with a full ASW suite including a hull sonar, a variable depth towed sonar, a sound control system and submarine communications, as well as torpedoes, ASROC Yu-8 and anti-submarine rockets. |
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 Launch of the 29th Type 054A Frigate for the PLAN. HSH Photo. |
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In total, four Type 054A were launched in 2017 by the two shipyards involved in the program. Since first ship of the class was commissioned in January 2008, the PLAN commissioned 25 Type 054A multi-mission frigates in just 9 years.
The relatively low operational (and through life support) cost, its versatility and comfort (which is reportedly very appreciated by PLAN sailors) make the Type 054A class the backbone of the PLAN blue water capabilities. The number of Type 054A to be delivered to the PLAN has been revised several times upwards. Based on the photos taken by enthusiasts, this 29th frigate is launched at an advanced stage of completion: Major armaments - such as H/PJ-26 76mm main gun, VLS cells for SAM HQ-16 and ASROC Yu-8 missiles, CIWS H/PJ-11, ASW rocket launchers, decoy launchers and sensors and jammers - have already been installed on board. This will reduced the outfitting time pierside. |
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 Tug boats are assisting the 29th Type 054A Frigate sailpast the 6th Type 071 LPD (under outfitting) for the PLAN. HSH Photo. |
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It is currently unclear which of the three Chinese fleets the vessel will join, but its commissioning should take place in the next 14 months, based on the figures recorded in the past. Today the 25 Type 054A frigates already in service in the PLAN are distributed almost evenly: namely 7 for the Northern Fleet, 9 for the Eastern Fleet and 9 for the Southern Fleet. There is therefore a strong chance that the four new frigates launched this year will be partly dedicated to the Northern fleet to replace the aeging Type 053 built in the 80ies.
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